IBB apologized for annuling June 12 election – MKO Abiola’s son

 

Lekan Abiola, son of the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, has revealed that former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd), has apologised to the family for annulling the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election

He made the disclosure during the MKO Abiola Memorial Symposium in Lagos, which also featured preparations for the launch of a new book titled MKO Abiola: Symbol of Democracy, organised by the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND).

Speaking to journalists, Lekan said the apology, which was initially made in private, was later confirmed publicly by Babangida, bringing a sense of closure

“We returned from the United States and met with IBB. He apologised privately to us. Later, he went public with the apology and acknowledged that MKO won the election. That was important to us. For years, people questioned the legitimacy of June 12, but with Babangida’s admission and the release of the full election results, there’s no longer any controversy,” he said.

Lekan also called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the Federal Government pays all outstanding entitlements owed to his father, noting that previous administrations had failed to do so.

Meanwhile, the author of the upcoming book, Dr. Layo Adeniyi, said the 440-page biography offers a comprehensive account of MKO Abiola’s life, business empire, political journey, and his central role in Nigeria’s democratic struggle.

“There’s nothing you want to know about Abiola that you won’t find in this book,” Adeniyi said. “It captures his beginnings, rise in politics through the NCNC and NPN, and ultimately, why his story remains so important—because no election in Nigeria has ever been as free and fair as that of June 12, 1993.”